13 Crimson boys hockey players disciplined for off-campus incident

An alleged incident involving members of the Maple Grove High School boys’ varsity hockey team last December has led to disciplinary action against 13 players.

“School officials were informed Monday (Jan. 14) about an alleged incident that took place in mid-December in a private home involving multiple athletes,” Osseo Area School District/Communication Relations Director Barb Olson said. “This week school officials conducted a thorough investigation and consulted with the State High School League. They completed the investigation and determined that there was a violation of the State High School League code of conducts. Due to data privacy law, we can’t provide the specifics about who were involved and what the incident was or the specific consequences. But what we can tell you is that the allegations were thoroughly investigated, violations of the State High School League code were found and the consequences will be applied according to State High School League guidelines.”

Olson said she understands rumors are flying around about the alleged incident but she cannot provide any specifics under data privacy law.

“The school investigation is concluded,” Olson said. “It’s an off-campus incident. The only connection to the school is students-athletes are involved and they ascribe to a code of conduct.”

The Maple Grove Police Department told the Sun Press last week that “it is not involved in the investigation” and said the incident “was internal between the School District and the Minnesota State High School League.” The MGPD would get involved only if a criminal complaint were to arise, the police spokesman said.

COACH PLACED ON ONE-DAY LEAVE

Olson added that because the school district received a complaint about the Maple Grove Senior High hockey team behavior, the district had to conduct a thorough investigation, and according to district protocol, and placed Maple Grove head hockey coach Gary Stefano on administrative leave with pay from his coaching responsibility Thursday, Jan. 17.

Olson said that early last Friday evening, Jan. 18, the school district concluded its investigation and reinstated Stefano to his head coaching position. Stefano has served as the Crimson head coach since the school opened 17 years ago.

“Over the course of Mr. Stefano’s leadership with Maple Grove Senior High hockey during the past 17 years, he has developed a strong hockey program and made significant contributions to our school community,” Olson said in a statement. “We look forward to continued success for the program.”